The Forgetful Girl

By Aarna Shah

There was once a girl named Sophia. She was very forgetful. She forgot to bring her books to school, forgot to go to her classes and forgot many more things.

One day, her mother called out, “Sophia, you have to go to your basketball class in 5 minutes. Will you ever remember anything?” “Sorry mother, I am getting ready in 2 minutes.”, replied Sophia. After two minutes her mother asked, “Are you ready, Sophia?” “For what, mother”, asked Sophia. “SOPHIA! Don’t tell me that you don’t remember to get ready for your basketball class. I just reminded you two minutes ago”, said her mother irritated. “Oh, I am really sorry, mother, I don’t know why I keep forgetting things”, apologized Sophia. “If you are really sorry, go and get ready at once. I’ll come with you this time”, said her mother exasperated.

After 2 minutes Sophia came dressed for her basketball class. Her mother said angrily, “Great, you are already late for your class.” “Sorry mother”, apologized Sophia. “Well, you can’t apologize every time you forget something. You’ve got to remember. Please try to remember things. Now hurry and go to your class, Sophia, Anna must be waiting for you.”, said her mother. “Okay, mother.”, said Sophia obediently.

Anna was Sophia’ best friend and cared for her a lot. They went to their basketball classes, swimming classes and tuitions together. When Sophia went down, she saw Anna waiting for her. “Where were you, Sophia? I was waiting for you from about ten minutes.”

As they walked into the basketball court Mr. William was looking terribly angry. “Anna, Sophia, where were you? You’ve missed about half the class.”, said Mr. William angrily. “We are really sorry Mr. er, er,”, said Sophia. Before Anna could whisper into Sophia’s ears, Mr. William strictly said, “It’s Mr. William”. “Oh yes, Mr. William.”, remembered Sophia. “First you come late to class and now you don’t even remember my name! Shame on you, Sophia”, Said Mr. William strictly.

“Please don’t scold Sophia, Mr. William. You know how easily she forgets things”, defended Anna.

“Okay, okay , now stop arguing and let me begin the class.”

After class ended Sophia went to Anna’s house to play. Sophia asked, “Why was Mr. William so angry with us, Anna?” “Sophia, how could you forget! We came in late today and Mr. William was very angry. “Oh, right, I totally forgot. I’m waiting for a day to come when I never forget anything.”, said Sophia looking sad. “Don’t be sad, Sophia I’m sure such a day will come. Now come on, let’s play Monopoly.”, said Sophia.

After some time, they finished playing and Sophia went back to her house. “Sophia you’re back, I’ve some news for you. I have to go travelling for a business meeting day after tomorrow for a week. So, take care and try to remember all things. Is that okay, my darling?” asked her mother.

“Yes, mother, I’ll miss you.”, said Sophia. “I’ll miss you too, my dear.”, said her mother lovingly. “Please remember to study for your exams. They are due next week. I’ll tell Anna to remind you.”, said Sophia’s mother.

“Okay, mother. Can I play with Anna by the time you’re travelling.”, replied Sophia. “Yes, you can, as long as you study for your exams after playing.”, said her mother. “OK, mother, you’ve already said that a hundred times.”, said Sophia exasperated.

The next day went in packing and farewell.

Finally, the day came for Sophia’s mother to leave. She was ready with her suitcase and as soon as her car arrived, she left. The moment her mother left, Anna reminded her to start studying. “Okay, I’ll study but, let’s play for some time now”, said Sophia.

“Okay, but only if you study afterwards.”, said Anna strictly. “Okay, now don’t start acting like my mother.”, said Sophia exasperated. They played for a long time, but Sophia still didn’t start studying. This continued till the evening.

“Sophia, you have your science exams the day after. You can’t play anymore.”, said Anna sternly. “Okay, I’ll not play, but I can’t study either. I am too tired.”, said Sophia restlessly. “Really Sophia, who will remind you to study tomorrow? I am going out with my parents.”, said Anna worried. “It’s okay, Anna I’ll remember.”, reassured Sophia.

“Okay, but don’t let me down.”, said Anna.

The next day Sophia got ready and did her homework. She still didn’t remember to study for her exams. She had forgotten to study. That was because she didn’t have either her mother or Anna to remind her. Only the maid was with her as her father had gone to work.

Finally, the day of her exams came. She went to school and found out that she had her science exams today. “WHAT! But I forgot to study for my exams.”, wondered Sophia aloud. “You’ll have to write whatever you know, then.”, said one of the students.

“I bet she is right.”, thought Sophia.

“Why didn’t I listen to Anna and study. I’m having such a hard time answering the questions now. Thinking about these thoughts all the time, the exam time was over. Everyone submitted their test papers.

Next week, the results had come. Sophia had failed. She had got a very big shock as this was the first time she failed so badly. (Her mother or Anna had always reminded her to study for her exams)

From that day onwards she started maintaining a small diary in which she would write everything she had to do for the day. She would check it in every one hour to see whether she had done everything or not. Slowly like this, within a few months she started remembering everything in her mind, without be having to check her diary. So, Sophia’s wish came true, and she never ever forgot anything and became a responsible and independent girl.

By Aarna Shah